Mamajoun, Please Come To Vancouver

Mamajoun

209 Ellesmere Rd., Unit 206

Scarborough, Ont.

mamajoun.com

I was impressed with this Armenian Pizzeria before I walked in just based on its name.  I Lahmajoun, I gathered, is the name of the delicious spicy Armenian thin and light crusted meat pizzas. Mama is mother. 

As soon as I walked in, I was dazzled with the cleanliness of the place and the friendliness of the welcome. I was salivating when the baker (I think he was the owner) walked out with the trays of freshly baked Lahmajoun.

Their menu goes beyond meat. The Manakeesh are the best I tasted in Canada. A cheese or spinach toppings options are also available.

You see Mamajoun, I travel to Lebanon twice a year to eat Manakeesh every day for 15 days. I think I alone can keep a Vancouver Mamajoun busy enough.

The Five Stages of Granadilla

Stage 1: Discovery

Stage 2: Excitement 

Stage 3: Confusion

Stage 4: Fear

Stage 5: Disappointment 

My Adventure With Siddhartha

Siddhartha's 

2066 Commercial Drive

Vancouver, BC

siddharthaskitchen.com

Looking for peace in the chaos of a working day, I walked into Siddartha's expecting to be welcomed by a sari dressed beauty, smells of freshly made curries and soft chants.

Instead I was welcomed by an Asian woman, blasting Ofra Haza songs and big screen TV on CNN.

The food, described as healthy Indian soul food, included a salty North American style salad with cranberries surrounded by Aloo Tikki and chaat with cucumbers and red peppers.

I walked out feeling I did not conquer a break to myself nor win a restaurant discovery battle.

My Sweet Niece

My sweet niece is one-fifth my age. She lives on the other side of the land, so we do not have lots of chances to hang out. But when we do, she treats me well.

After school, she prepares a snack for us. Today's was juice in a mug, toast with jam and cheese. All in matching plates and mugs and brought to my lap.

But wait till she sees my treat - a cinnamon buns cake; only found on the other side of the land.

Thank you my sweet niece.

Miku Or Minami

Miku Restaurant

70 - 200 Granville Street

Vancouver, BC

mikurestaurant.com

I simply cannot choose decide which one I like more Miku or Minami - please help me decide by leaving a comment to this blog article. But first, a visual tour of my Miku feasting session.

Corfu Perogies

Six months ago, to the day, Replacement Chef made a Corfu Lasagna. Six months later, my empty-freezer-fridge-experimentations led themselves to creating Corfu Perogies.

I am sure no one will try the recipe, but why not, here it is hoping that someone out there in the world is adventurous enough to try it. First, layer, in a greased baking dish, uncooked perogies.

Mix in some cooked meat. I had pre-cooked chicken pieces which I mixed in. But I am sure cooked steak, ham or bacon will work very well too.

Add a Corfu-style sauce toppings - in this case canned tomatoes, olives, oregano and sprinkled feta cheese - and bake for 30 minutes in a 375 oven. Crunchy tasty perogies; and they still go well with sour cream.

Caffé Brixton Still Unique

Caffé Brixton
212 East Georgia

Vancouver, BC

www.caffebrixton.com

I visited Caffé Bixton almost 2 years ago. At that time I fell in love with it for how unique it is.

Today, Caffé Brixton is still its unique self. The interesting furniture is still there, the quality of food and service is still very good. 

Even the unique vegetarian meatloaf with whisky bbq sauce and crispy onions I loved last time is still waiting for me.

The Raincoast Kombucha was an added unique offering that is definitely worth a try (I wonder where they distribute this stuff; their website is quiet scarce).

But nothing will beat the uniqueness of Caffé Brixton's Washrooms!

Instant Dinners at the Kitchen

Neighbours wrap up a party and a beautiful platter of leftover snacks are delivered to somerville kitchen; laid out with as much care and love as the original party platter was done up.

Another night. Leftover pasta sauce made by one special person the previous night. Salmon pieces brought over by another special person the night before that. All I do is boil an egg and mix all together with spinach leaves.

One other night, a friend brings one thing, a neighbour brings another, my fridge contributes a third dish and my freezer the fourth. An impressive instant spread is served.

Scrub Daddy

Why would I pay over $5.00 to buy a Scrub Daddy? Well, I can give you at least 5 reasons.

Reason #1: It adds a je ne sait pas quoi to the kitchen.

Reason #2: It is one of the most successful Shark Tank featured products.

 Reason #3: It's a sponge that acts like a normal sponge in warm water.

Reason #4: But when the job is tough, use cold water and it becomes a tough scrub daddy.

Reason #5: It smiles at me when the job is done. I love you Scrub Daddy.

Vancouver's French Gem #2

café salade de fruits

1551 West 7th Avenue

Vancouver, BC

www.saladedefruits.com

I have no idea why it took me decades to discover these French Gems of restaurants in the city (Read Vancouver French Gem #1). And how can one not fall in love with a café with such taste in art.

café salade de fruits is more of a bistro than a café. Service is offered in French, unless you choose to speak another language. Specials and more specials on the black board. Pleasant experience sums it up.

You can order your (free range) Omelette made the Canadian or French way - the French way is not fully cooked with egg yolks dripping into your plate as you cut in it. But at least you get a good taste of the quality eggs they serve.

I must remember this place - perfect for weekend brunch, business lunch or a cosy evening date.

Vancouver's French Gem #1

au comptoir

2278 West 4th Avenue

Vancouver, BC

aucomptoir.ca

I have never been to Paris. But I can tell that this café au lait looks trés parisien. 

au comptoir describes itself as a classic café parisien. And I think they succeeded to recreate the ambiance of a Parisian café - the small tables and chairs next to each other, the noise level, the French servers with a tad of snappiness and a menu that includes croque monsieur and croque madame.

An enjoyable discovery. Tune back tomorrow for Vancouver's French Gem #2.